Apple may license AirPlay video streaming to third-party HDTV makers
Though AirPlay can currently be used to stream audio to compatible third-party devices, Apple may begin licensing the wireless streaming standard for video as well, according to a new report.
Citing two people familiar with the project, Bloomberg reported on Wednesday that Apple could allow other device makers to use AirPlay for "streaming movies, TV shows and other video content." One person reportedly said that such devices could be made available as soon as this year.
"An expanded AirPlay would let users stream programming wirelessly from an Apple mobile device to a TV that carries the technology," authors Cliff Edwards and Adam Satariano wrote. "That may spur wider use of Apple's services and devices in consumers' living rooms."
The strategy could negate the need for users to purchase Apple's $99 Apple TV set top box, currently the main beneficiary of the AirPlay standard. If HDTV makers were to integrate AirPlay into their products, it could also pour cold water on longstanding speculation that Apple intends to build its own connected high-definition television set in the near future.
If Apple does license video streaming with AirPlay, it would be an unusual step for the company, which typically does not license its software to other companies. However, with last year's announcement of AirPlay, Apple did reveal it was working with third-party device makers to allow integrated streaming audio compatible with the new standard. A handful of those products are already available on the market.
According to Bloomberg, those who sell AirPlay-compatible devices pay Apple $4 for each device sold, as part of the licensing agreement. It was also said that the existing AirPlay technology used by manufacturers allows for video to be streamed, though the licensing prevents it.
The report also said that Apple's chip partner for AirPlay, BridgeCo., has been working with "several TV makers" on future Web-connected HDTVs. However, it was not known whether the talks were to include AirPlay technology.
Apple has been quickly expanding the reach of AirPlay since it was first introduced late last year. The iOS 4.3 update for iPhone and iPad released earlier this month added the ability for third-party applications on the App Store to stream AirPlay video out to the Apple TV.
Citing two people familiar with the project, Bloomberg reported on Wednesday that Apple could allow other device makers to use AirPlay for "streaming movies, TV shows and other video content." One person reportedly said that such devices could be made available as soon as this year.
"An expanded AirPlay would let users stream programming wirelessly from an Apple mobile device to a TV that carries the technology," authors Cliff Edwards and Adam Satariano wrote. "That may spur wider use of Apple's services and devices in consumers' living rooms."
The strategy could negate the need for users to purchase Apple's $99 Apple TV set top box, currently the main beneficiary of the AirPlay standard. If HDTV makers were to integrate AirPlay into their products, it could also pour cold water on longstanding speculation that Apple intends to build its own connected high-definition television set in the near future.
If Apple does license video streaming with AirPlay, it would be an unusual step for the company, which typically does not license its software to other companies. However, with last year's announcement of AirPlay, Apple did reveal it was working with third-party device makers to allow integrated streaming audio compatible with the new standard. A handful of those products are already available on the market.
According to Bloomberg, those who sell AirPlay-compatible devices pay Apple $4 for each device sold, as part of the licensing agreement. It was also said that the existing AirPlay technology used by manufacturers allows for video to be streamed, though the licensing prevents it.
The report also said that Apple's chip partner for AirPlay, BridgeCo., has been working with "several TV makers" on future Web-connected HDTVs. However, it was not known whether the talks were to include AirPlay technology.
Apple has been quickly expanding the reach of AirPlay since it was first introduced late last year. The iOS 4.3 update for iPhone and iPad released earlier this month added the ability for third-party applications on the App Store to stream AirPlay video out to the Apple TV.
Comments
Whoa...
This could be Huge!
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Right. Instead of partnering with an established company, Apple will start a new standard that has about as much of a chance of being adopted as Ping or pong or whatever it is.
I would have thought that Apple is a pretty established company, at this point, and that television manufacturers might be happy to partner with them.
As far as low chances of adoption, tens of millions of AirPlay enabled devices say otherwise.
Licensing AirPlay makes vastly more sense than building TVs.
That day will come. You'll see.
This is in-a-way similar to them licensing Apple TV technology to be built into TV's. I suggested such a move as a good idea about 18 months ago and was scoffed at on these forums. What's new.
I though you were holding out for Apple branded TVs?
Right. Instead of partnering with an established company, Apple will start a new standard that has about as much of a chance of being adopted as Ping or pong or whatever it is.
Have you used AirPlay?
What do you think it would mean to a student, an artist, a coach, a teacher, a performer or a business man...
If he could carry his essay, portfolio, press, lessons, work product etc. with him, everywhere, on an iPad -- and wherever he goes, there is a large screen TV (or TVs) that he can use to "strut his stuff"
Oh, and while I have you here... let me show you the latest home movies of the kids...
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Right. Instead of partnering with an established company, Apple will start a new standard that has about as much of a chance of being adopted as Ping or pong or whatever it is.
Licensing AirPlay makes vastly more sense than building TVs.
That day will come. You'll see.
I agree. This is a prime opportunity for someone to make a box cheaper than AppleTV explicitly to receive Airplay signals for televisions.
Given the size and cost of Apple TV, I would think someone could make an AirPlay dongle that wasn't much bigger and doesn't cost much more than an adapter. Certainly for less than Best Buy charges for a 6' HDMI cable. An easy add-on sale for any AirPlay enabled Apple devices.
Though AirPlay can currently be used to stream audio to compatible third-party devices, Apple may begin licensing the wireless streaming standard for video as well, according to a new report.
SOT
Does anyone here know if the ATT iP4 tether to the iPad is better/worse, more/less expensive than the iPad data service?
I am particularly interested if the tethering service is month-to-month, as opposed to a contract.
I get lost visiting the ATT site -- its kinda' like the MSFT sites -- where they assume that all you do every day is read and follow what they post to the site.
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I though you were holding out for Apple branded TVs?
Yes, I did also say Apple would make their own TV. I still believe that. It would suit them as a company. They'd make an awesome TV and people would buy it. And if you couldn't afford the Apple Branded TV you could always go for the second best option of getting an Airplay enabled TV from many-another manufacturer.
I agree. This is a prime opportunity for someone to make a box cheaper than AppleTV explicitly to receive Airplay signals for televisions.
I don't see where it makes much sense for Apple to get into televisions.
Given the size and cost of Apple TV, I would think someone could make an AirPlay dongle that wasn't much bigger and doesn't cost much more than an adapter. Certainly for less than Best Buy charges for a 6' HDMI cable. An easy add-on sale for any AirPlay enabled Apple devices.
AFICT, presently, it takes a CPU, some RAM (buffers), power -- maybe a GPU and a codec chip to receive AirPlay streams.
The interface is kind of odd, in that the AirPlay sender starts the process, but once connected the AirPlay receiver takes over and sucks the content from the AirPlay Senderi
That said, Apple has lots of experience and expertise to develop an ASIC or SOC/POP to do this.
It would be a lot cleaner and less expensive if the dongle (whatever) could get its power from the TV.
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I don't see where it makes much sense for Apple to get into televisions.
I bet you didn't see the iPod coming from Apple either. It makes a lot of sense.
Given the size and cost of Apple TV, I would think someone could make an AirPlay dongle that wasn't much bigger and doesn't cost much more than an adapter. Certainly for less than Best Buy charges for a 6' HDMI cable. An easy add-on sale for any AirPlay enabled Apple devices.
People just love dongles.
People just love dongles.
They like it better than having to replace their TV.
I don't see where it makes much sense for Apple to get into televisions.
I agree. Especially if they can get the TV manufacturers to include their standard for wireless video streaming! IMHO, what they (Apple) really want is for iDevices to be that much more useable/attractive. If they had to introduce their own line of TVs they would end up only with the boutique market--maybe just barely better than nothing. If they can get manufacturers to support this, it could be big.